Radiologists should be familiar with the computed tomography (CT) characteristics of acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis including curvilinear calcific (non-osseous) density along the longus colli muscle, particularly in the upper oblique fibers, at the C1 to C2 level with associated soft tissue swelling; and possible retropharyngeal edema that smoothly expands the retropharyngeal space in all directions. It is important for radiologists and otolaryngologists to differentiate between these findings and those of retropharyngeal infection, in order to institute appropriate treatment and avoid invasive therapies such as intubation and surgical drainage.

From the manuscript

Acute Prevertebral Calcific Tendinitis

Abstract
We present a case of neck pain in a middle-aged woman, initially attributed to a retropharyngeal infection and treated with urgent intubation. With the help of computed tomography, the diagnosis was later revised to acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis, a self-limiting condition caused by abnormal calcium hydroxyapatite deposition in the longus colli muscles. It is critical to differentiate between these two disease entities due to dramatic differences in management. A discussion of acute prevertebral calcific tendinitis and its imaging findings is provided below.